"So...what happens now?" Tanjiro asked.
"They'll have an adventure in Thriller Bark, defeat Moria and gain Brook as their musician. After that, they and us, we should head to Sabaody Archipelago." Jexi said. "But before we get there...we should discuss some things. Starting with...this info you wanted to share?"
"Yes, of course." Tab said. "As Sawyer told you, the Merc Association has been looking into the Anarchy Kings. From our newest information, we've learned that at least two Elders have arrived on this world in search of one of the keys. Senshi, if you would?"
"Of course, Tab." Senshi said bringing up two files of two individuals. The first was a pirate that wore flashy clothes. However, what drew everyone's attention was the fact that, behind him, six tentacles could be seen.
"Le Kraken, the Elder of the Ocean Universe." Senshi explained. "He's the captain of the Vingt Tentacules du Casier, or the 20 Tentacles of the Locker. He and his crew were some of the first to join the Kings, and are all skilled fighters. Le Kraken himself possesses an ability called "Kraken Attack", that allows him to take on the attributes of the legendary Kraken."
The second file's picture showed a tall man with the appearance of a kabuki, holding a sword in one hand and a flag in the other.
"The Shinto Universe Elder, Kabuki Emperor Taishido." Tab said. "Formerly one of the commanding emperors of the now fallen Sword Kingdom…"
"Wait, what?! The Sword Kingdom?!" Hope said. "Oh my god. This is…"
"He's lying." Tetsu said calmly.
"I'll have to concur. There have been no records of him in the Sword Kingdom's history." Cheetah said.
"Besides, the Sword Kingdom fell over 500 years ago. I should know that personally." Tetsu said.
"Well, true or not, Taishido claims he is." Senshi said. "And he holds a grudge against Color God Scarlet for apparently letting the kingdom fall. He killed several powerful yokai before he joined the kings, so even if he's not who he says he is, he's not to be underestimated."
"Hahahaha. I see. He's one of those. Those who hate the spirits. Truth is, the kingdom fell at the hands of us humans, no mystical force involved." Tetsu said.
"So here is my question. Why should we be intimidated by someone who, on record, never existed?" David asked.
"Look, maybe this isn't anything new for you, but the Elders-" Tab started.
"No, you listen to me. All you guys tell us is what they're like, but you never give us any proper incentive on why they are a deemable threat. So can we please move along?" David asked.
"Yeah...I gotta agree. These guys...they're just some guys who hate how the world works for some reason. Nothing new. And from the sound of it, some of them are liars too." Jexi said.
"Though these guys we'll see in Sabaody are no joke. The 11 Supernovas." Rainbow said.
"Yeah. You guys know about them right? 11 Rookies who have made names for themselves across their voyages and have built quite the reputation. Zoro and Luffy are actually two of them." Hope said.
"Okay. We're coming onto Sabaody Archipelago right...whoa." Tails said as they saw fighting already in progress as several marines were swarming the groves.
"What the heck is going on?" Frosta asked.
"Only one thing I can think of. Luffy's gone and punched that noble." Jexi said.
"What? But you can't do that here! It will…." Tab said.
"Call out numerous marines and an Admiral? It's already being done." Jexi said.
"Trust me. If he didn't, I would. Heck, Rachel already knocked those guys out while we were in Gran Tesoro." David said.
"True. I even freed the panda zey were riding on. It was cute." Rachel said.
As the group prepared for battle, Tab and Senshi started at them.
"These guys…" Tab said as Hope put a hand on his shoulder.
"I know, they are brushing off the elders. But that's just how they are. We've encountered plenty, so we know a thing or two. Don't worry about it." Hope smiled before he headed out as well. Secretly though, Draco was clutching his fist.
"(Those fools would dare mock us?!...They'll get what they deserve soon enough.)" he thought.
As they disembarked, they heard a loud roaring as a large dinosaur in clothing charged down some marines.
"Holy crap! That's a dinosaur!" Bow said.
"Partly right. One of the Supernovas. A former Marine Rear Admiral. "Red Flag" X Drake of the Drake Pirates. He ate the Dragon-Dragon Fruit. The Allosaurus Model." Sci-Twi said.
"Stay out of my way!" Drake roared as he tore right through the marines and a blockade.
"Man… what an unfriendly guy." A familiar voice said as Law casually walked over before vanishing.
"Wait...was that?" Tab said.
"The Surgeon of Death. Trafalgar Law. Captain of the Heart Pirates. He ate the Op-Op Fruit, letting him create personal spaces to perform some unique "operations"." Sci-Twi said.
'Hey! Don't move!" a few marines shouted to a large creature made of straw as they shot at it. But upon doing so, they saw small straw dolls rising from it before they fell apart as a few men fell.
"Wait. Is that…" Leonora asked.
"The Magician. Basil Hawkins. Captain of the Hawkins Pirates. He ate the Straw-Straw Fruit, letting him do some incredible things with straw that he creates from his body." Sci-Twi said.
"Hey...stay out of my way!" a voice shouted as a red haired man was tearing through them with two large metal arms.
"That guy...I think I've seen him before. That's…" Tab said.
"Eustass "Captain" Kid. Captain of the Kid Pirates. He has a Devil Fruit that lets him have power over magnetism." Sci-Twi said. "As you all can tell, he's not one for staying on the sidelines."
"Okay! Freeze! We got you surrounded!" shouted some marines surrounding a man in black as he smoked a cigar.
"Oh. Do you now?" he said as cannons popped out of his body as they shot at the marines.
"Capone "Gang" Bege. Captain of the Firetank Pirates. He ate the Castle-Castle Fruit. Basically, he's a living fortress." Sci-Twi said.
"So many incredible pirates...and they all gathered on this small island?" Tab said completely in shock.
"Now who's the one out of their league?" David asked.
"Whoever Le Kraken and Taishido are, let me tell you this. They probably don't stack up to these men." Hope said.
"True that. In the future, we even fight alongside some of them." David said.
"Yeah. Many pirates tend to form alliances to take on the big guys like the warlords or even emperors. We've been in a couple of those." Hope said.
"Senshi…" Tab said. "We might not have much to worry about after all. I think these guys are gonna be more than okay."
"Yeah, you're right!" Senshi agreed. "I mean, they're the best! So what if the Elders are tough? They can take 'em!"
"Pourquoi pas?"
At this question, everyone turned to see none other than Le Kraken stroll up to them.
"Ah, what a magnifique day, no? The sun shines, the birds chirp, and the Straw Hats are once again in the thick of battle." Le Kraken said casually.
"So you're Le Kraken. You must be pretty stupid to stroll up to us so casually!" Akane said.
"Non, mon ami. Stay your hands, I'm not here to fight yet. I couldn't help but overhear the merveilleux things you were saying. And I must say, you all have sharp minds." Le Kraken said.
"This guy is supposed to be an elder? He just looks like some weird old octopus." Natsu said.
"Uh, I think that's kind of the point, Natsu." David said.
"Think what you want of me." Le Kraken said. "Bâtons et des pierres, it makes little difference. Now, I imagine you are all here to take part in the battle, no? I wonder...perhaps things may turn out differently this time."
"That's right. Jexi, you've been through this twice already, right?" David asked.
"Yeah. They fight against Admiral Kizaru and multiple marines but...they end up getting defeated in the end." Jexi said.
"So that means we're supposed to get metaphorically slaughtered this time, too, huh?" David asked. "No, I shouldn't think like that."
"Remember, I said the Straw Hats get defeated. Never said anything about us." Jexi said.
"Still, someone like Kizaru?" Kaito asked.
"He has power over light and as such, can travel at speeds that seem instantaneous. Standing on equal footing against him is going to take someone very fast. As fast as the speed of light." Cheetah said.
"I think a few of us fit that criteria." David said.
"Heh. You are all just as I've heard. Nevertheless, until the keys are used, it seems we are enemies. A shame, but…" Le Kraken said as a laser flew past him.
"Le Kraken the pirate. You will be destroyed." a voice said as a large man emerged from the dark while charging a laser from his hands.
"Porquoi?" Le Kraken asked.
"You might want to think about running. That's a Pacifista. Robot bounty hunters made to hunt wanted men like you." Hope said.
"Ah, so I see." Le Kraken said. "Well, it was a pleasure to meet you all. I do hope we meet again!" Le Kraken said as he morphed his arms into tentacles and grabbed a tree branch above him, slipping up onto it as he began to swing away. "Adieu, monsieur Pacifista !"
"Deploy." the Pacifista said hitting him in the back as he fell.
"Not me!" he cried before it was destroyed by Natsu. "Que?"
"Okay...now you can run. But you better tell your buddies this. If they ever wanna settle this personally...we'd be glad to take them head on. So keep that in mind, Octoman." Natsu said.
"That I shall." Le Kraken said getting up and running off. "We shall do battle in the New World! I hope you monsieurs will survive until then!"
"Heh." Hope said as the alliance stood together. "Just watch us."